Tight security in south Dublin ahead of 'secret' summit

Tight security is in force around the Four Seasons Hotel in south Dublin this afternoon ahead of a highly secretive meeting of past and present world leaders, businessmen and artists.

The meeting was set up by the Washington-based group Academy of Achievement, to introduce the “young leaders of tomorrow” to the statesmen of today.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is hosting the summit, with former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, former US President Bill Clinton and current Afghan leader Hamid Karzai expected to be among the 50 or so guests.

The Government has been planning for the summit for months and the Gardai are believed to have collaborated with international police and the US security services ahead of the event.